A warm current rapidly flowed into Lucas’s mind.
The swordsmanship memories that had never belonged to him were seamlessly integrated into his body through the system.
It felt as though he could execute the techniques with nothing more than a passing thought.
Just moments ago, when he’d looked at the unusually long Monohoshizao, he had seriously considered putting it to good use as an oversized fishing rod.
He never expected the sword to come with one of Sasaki Kojiro’s ultimate techniques—
Tsubame Gaeshi.
A peerless sword technique said to transcend reality, illusion, and even space itself.
Simply put...
One slash became three.
Besides the two visible cuts, there was a third strike that existed within the overlap of illusion and space, impossible to perceive with the naked eye.
It was the perfect killing technique—one that struck without warning.
If used properly, a single slash was all it took to defeat an opponent.
It seemed Sasaki Kojiro had no intention of letting his beloved sword be reduced to nothing more than a fishing pole.
Otherwise, this sword technique wouldn’t have accompanied it.
Satisfied, Lucas sheathed Monohoshizao.
A one-and-a-half-meter katana was admittedly awkward to carry on his back.
Still...
It looked impressive enough.
But when he remembered the final reward from the Silver Treasure Chest ten-pull—the one he’d glimpsed out of the corner of his eye—he quickly suppressed the urge to test the sword.
In Lucas’s estimation, that grand finale reward had already surpassed the limits of a Silver Treasure Chest.
It was practically worthy of a Gold Treasure Chest.
Looks like even endless copy-and-paste rewards couldn’t stop luck from smiling on him.
If he could make full use of it...
His strength would rise by another level.
And that meant even more opportunities to slack off during battle.
Just then—
Purururu... Purururu...
"Emergency report! Emergency report!"
The piercing cry of a Den Den Mushi suddenly rang out.
Lucas raised an eyebrow in surprise.
As an Admiral, the Den Den Mushi issued to him was of the highest security level.
Unless he answered it himself, there were only three situations in which it would activate an emergency alert on its own.
The first...
Marine Headquarters was facing a catastrophic attack.
The second...
A Celestial Dragon had come under attack and an Admiral was being urgently summoned for protection.
Admittedly, Lucas had extorted Kaido for Whitebeard’s whereabouts not long ago.
But putting aside whether Kaido could even reach Marine Headquarters in such a short time...
With the three Admirals stationed there, plus Sengoku and Garp guarding the base...
Unless Kaido had completely lost his mind, he wouldn’t throw himself into certain defeat.
As for a Celestial Dragon needing protection?
After everything that had happened in the Plaza of Justice not long ago...
Lucas doubted any Celestial Dragon with half a brain would choose him as their bodyguard.
That left only one possibility.
Someone had activated...
A Buster Call.
The Buster Call was one of the World Government’s ultimate weapons.
Once authorized, it ordered an indiscriminate bombardment that would annihilate everything within the designated area.
The system relied on two special Den Den Mushi.
A Golden Den Den Mushi issued the order.
A Silver Den Den Mushi received it.
Within Marine Headquarters, only the Fleet Admiral and Admirals possessed the authority to initiate a Buster Call.
Naturally, they could also delegate that authority to others.
There were, however, a few exceptions.
If Lucas remembered correctly...
Even the commander of CP9 possessed authorization to activate one.
"Admiral Lucas, this is a Buster Call mobilization order." Gion stared at the Den Den Mushi’s emergency signal with a shocked expression. "We’re too far away. Even if we leave now, it’ll be difficult to reach the destination in time."
Using the Den Den Mushi’s positioning function, everyone immediately determined where the Buster Call had been initiated.
One of the World Government’s Three Great Strongholds.
If a Buster Call had suddenly been triggered there...
It could only mean that one of those strategic locations had already fallen to an unknown force.
"So they’ve finally reached this stage."
Lucas took another sip of strong liquor and smiled.
"Come on."
"Let’s go join the fun."
"Who knows? Maybe I’ll even get some overtime pay."
They were currently sailing within Whitebeard’s territory.
Fortunately, they weren’t far from the Red Line.
Once they returned to the Red Line, they could use the high-speed sea route developed by the Marine Science Unit to quickly reach the Plaza of Justice.
From there, using the whirlpool currents connecting the three government strongholds...
Reaching Enies Lobby wouldn’t be difficult.
Of course...
Even if they did make it in time, it would probably be a day or two later.
By then, all that would remain would be scorched ruins.
"Admiral Lucas..."
Gion sighed bitterly.
"You’re not planning to use this as another excuse to trick Fleet Admiral Sengoku again, are you?"
Everyone nearby wore similarly helpless expressions.
Taking another swig of liquor, Lucas shot her a look.
"Do I look like that kind of person?"
He paused before adding with a grin,
"...And even if I am, don’t tell old man Sengoku."
Meanwhile...
Marine Headquarters had already been thrown into an uproar.
The activation of a Buster Call was no small matter.
For Sengoku, it was truly one crisis after another.
However, after confirming that the order had originated from Enies Lobby, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness it wasn’t that brat who initiated the Buster Call."
"Otherwise, forget the Fleet Admiral’s position..."
"He wouldn’t even be able to keep his Admiral rank."
"But the command Den Den Mushi in his possession is practically a ticking time bomb."
"We should find an opportunity to take it back."
He then looked toward Garp.
"Garp..."
"Why do you look like you’re constipated?"
"You’ve got something to say again, don’t you?"
Looking at the intelligence report coming from the Den Den Mushi, Garp really wanted to blurt out—
As expected of my grandson!
But then he remembered...
If Sengoku ever found out that nearly every major incident over the past few months had somehow been connected to Luffy...
The first person to be thrown out of Marine Headquarters would probably be Garp himself.
He immediately coughed twice.
"Ahem..."
"What could I possibly say?"
"I’m just wondering whether Lucas might use this opportunity to pull another fast one on you."
"To make sure he doesn’t, I’ll head over there immediately and keep an eye on things for you."
With that, Garp turned and strode away without another word.
He moved with astonishing decisiveness.
If Lucas had witnessed this shameless display of sacrificing a friend to save himself...
He would probably have given Garp a heartfelt,
"Thanks a lot."
Watching Garp disappear down the hallway, Sengoku suddenly felt a bad premonition.
His right eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
An ominous feeling crept into his heart.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
Tsuru withdrew her gaze and spoke thoughtfully.
"Why do I have the feeling that putting Garp and Lucas together is a recipe for disaster?"
Everyone present instinctively shivered.
No one argued.
In fact...
They silently agreed.
"Oh, right..."
Sengoku’s expression stiffened.
"Aokiji is already there carrying out the Buster Call."
"Two Admirals... and the Hero of the Marines..."
"Why does that make me feel even more uneasy?"
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